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Blue (Bill Mack song)

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"Blue" is a song released in 1958 by Bill Mack, an American songwriter-country artist and country radio disc jockey. It has since been covered by several artists, in particular by country singer LeAnn Rimes, whose 1996 version became a hit. The song won Mack the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Country Song,[6] a 1996 Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year,[7] a 1997 Country Music Association Awards nomination for Song of the Year,[8] a 1997 Country Radio Music Awards nomination for Song of the Year,[9] and is included on the CMT list of the top 100 country songs of all time.[10] Rimes' rendition won the 1996 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

"Blue"
Single by Bill Mack
B-side"Faded Rose"[1][2][3]
ReleasedMay 1958[1][2][4]
Recorded1956[5]
Nesman Recording Studios in Wichita Falls, Texas[5]
GenreCountry
Length2:28
LabelStarday
Songwriter(s)Bill Mack
Bill Mack singles chronology
"Million Miles Away" / "Cheatin' On Your Mind"
(1957) 		"Blue"
(1958) 		"Long, Long Train" / "I'll Still Be Here Tomorrow"
(1959)

Composition

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"Blue" is a heartache ballad about a lonely man who is wondering why his lover can't be blue or lonely over him. However, he later realizes that words his lover had whispered were only lies:

"Blue
Oh, so lonesome for you
Why can't you be blue over me?"

History

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Contrary to popular opinion, Mack has often denied that Patsy Cline was his inspiration for writing the song, stating "I didn't write it for Patsy. I never wrote one for anybody."[11] In his autobiography Bill Mack's Memories from the Trenches of Broadcasting, Mack again debunks the publicity claim that he had written the song specifically for Cline, when in fact he did not have Cline in mind when he wrote it.[12][13] According to his self-penned article for Truckers Connection, Mack reveals that his "most noteworthy inspirations [for creating compositions] have been a billboard and attempting to create note changes on a new guitar" in which he also states,

Inevitably, I would be approached with the question, "What inspired you to write the song?" I wrote "Blue" while picking my new guitar in my home in Wichita Falls, Texas. I was creating some note changes on the guitar when the song entered my mind. Although I wasn't watching the clock, the melody and lyrics came to me in a completed form within 15 minutes. My wife at the time said, "That's the best song I've ever heard! You need to record it as soon as you can![14]

Mack composed "Blue" within 15 minutes and recorded it in two takes at Nesman Recording Studios in Wichita Falls, Texas.[5][14][15] He released it as a 45 rpm single backed by "Faded Rose" for Starday Records, catalog number 360.[1][2][3][4] The Billboard newsweekly on June 2, 1958, described Mack's recording of "Blue" as "A slow-tempo, relaxed item, with Mack's vocal backed by instrumentation featuring a honkytonk type piano. A flavorsome side."[4]

His recording received a limited amount of radio airplay and sold fairly well regionally, but it did not become popular.[5][14] Disc jockey Snuff Garrett strongly believed the song to be a "surefire hit for the future," so Mack hired a local female singer to make a demo tape recording of "Blue" in 1962 and placed it on a stack of many other songs he had written.[5][16]

Mack's friend Roy Drusky suggested he pitch "Blue" to Patsy Cline in an effort to make the song a hit, so Mack gave a tape to Cline's husband Charlie Dick, but Cline died in a plane crash in 1963 before she could record it.[11][17]

The song became a multi-platinum hit for LeAnn Rimes, in 1996. Although it was claimed that Mack had been waiting to find the right vocalist to record "Blue" for all that time, the song was recorded by at least five artists (Mack himself in 1958, Kenny Roberts in 1966, Roy Drusky circa 1960-70s, Polly Stephens Exley in the late 1980s, and Kathryn Pitt in 1993) prior to LeAnn Rimes.[18][19]

Mack's album Bill Mack Sings His Songs (1998), released as a CD and audio cassette, includes his original recording of "Blue".[20][21]

Kenny Roberts version

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"Blue"
 
Single by Kenny Roberts
B-side"Sioux City Sue"
ReleasedNovember 1966[22][23][24]
GenreCountry
Length2:12[25]
LabelStarday
Songwriter(s)Bill Mack
Producer(s)Tommy Hill
Kenny Roberts singles chronology
"Anytime" / "Tying the Leaves"
(1966) 		"Blue"
(1966) 		"Just Look, Don't Touch" / "Singing River"
(1967)

Kenny Roberts released "Blue" in 1966 as a 45 rpm single backed with "Sioux City Sue" for Starday Records, catalog number 788.[22][23][24][25] Roberts, who was a successful country singer since 1949 (with his hit single "I Never See Maggie Alone", and other recordings with Coral and Decca Records throughout the 1950s) signed to Starday in 1965. Don Pierce, Starday president and co-founder who had worked with Mack to record "Blue", gave Roberts the song to make the song a hit. Roberts revised the song by adding the yodel to it. Pierce believed the song had hit potential and promoted Robert's recording with his best effort, but the song did not become popular.[26]

Roberts' recording of "Blue" was reissued by Starday as the ninth track on his LP The Incredible Kenny Roberts (1967),[27][28] by Bluebonnet catalog number 201 as the fifth track on his LP You're My Kind of People (1988),[29][30] by Gusto Records as the ninth track on the 2-CD and digital download compilation Country Stars (2006)[31][32] and as the first track on the digital download EP Gusto's Top Hits: Kenny Roberts (2008).[33]

Polly Stephens Exley version

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In the late 1980s, Fort Worth singer-songwriter Polly Stephens Exley (also known as Polly Stephens, Polly Exley and Pauline Stephens) recorded "Blue"[19][34] but released less than 500 tapes.[35] On February 13, 1997, Exley filed a trial by jury suit in a Tarrant County federal court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, for copyright infringement against Bill Mack, Broadcast Music, Carlin America, Curb Records, Fort Knox Music, Hal Leonard Corporation and Trio Music.[36] Exley stated that she wrote the second verse of "Blue" in 1987 and should be compensated with 50 percent of the writer's royalties.[37] In September 1997, the parties said they had settled the dispute awarding royalties to Polly Stephens Exley, but was issued a gag order not to publicly talk about her role in the writing of the song. In January 1998, the case was dismissed.[36] Exley re-recorded the song on October 1, 1997, with a transfer of copyright, and had it copyrighted on January 20, 1998, for Fort Knox Music and Trio Music.[38]

LeAnn Rimes versions

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"Blue"
 
Single by LeAnn Rimes
from the album Blue
B-side
ReleasedJune 4, 1996[39]
GenreCountry
Length2:49 ("Blue")
2:34 ("Lady & Gentlemen")
LabelCurb
Songwriter(s)Bill Mack
Producer(s)Wilbur C. Rimes ("Blue")
Darrell Brown, LeAnn Rimes ("Lady & Gentlemen")
LeAnn Rimes singles chronology
"Blue"
(1996) 		"Hurt Me"
(1996)

American singer LeAnn Rimes first recorded the song at Norman Petty Studio in Clovis, NM, when she was 11 years old for her 1994 independent album All That.[40][41] Rimes' father Wilbur and Dallas-Fort Worth manager Marty Rendleman received the Polly Stephens Exley version sent by Bill Mack when putting together the All That album.[5][12][19][34][36][42] Wilbur Rimes disliked the demo stating "The first time I heard 'Blue' I didn't like it, but it was a demo version that sounded old fashion."[43]

Rimes re-recorded the song for her debut album, Blue, in 1996 when she was 13.[44][45] This recording was meant to be the B-side of Rimes' first single, "The Light in Your Eyes", but a ten-second tag of "Blue" on the promo record sent to radio stations drew the attention of DJs, so the A and B-sides were reversed and "Blue" became her first single. It debuted at #49 on the Billboard Country Chart for the week of 25 May 1996, becoming a major hit that summer,[18] peaking at #10 on the Billboard Country Chart and #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, while also reaching #1 on the Canadian Country RPM singles chart. Rimes won the 1996 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for this version, drawing the attention that earned Mack, as songwriter, that year's Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

Rimes recorded a third version with The Time Jumpers for her 2011 album Lady & Gentlemen, co-producing it with Darrell Brown.[46]

 
"Blue" (1996)
A 28 second sample of Rimes' "Blue"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Critical reception

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Shawn Haney of AllMusic stated the song was a "sleeper hit," a "radio-friendly airplay single" and that it should "affect listeners in a charismatic and lighthearted way."[47] When re-released on Lady & Gentlemen, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the new recording "illustrates just how far she’s come -- how she’s become a stronger, more nuanced singer over the years."[48] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "What a set of pipes'... and this girl is only 13 years old. Her voice and the song's unique history are rapidly gaining attention at country radio. [...] One listen to this single, and it is obvious that "Blue" has found the appropriate home. Rimes has a clear and strong voice, and she delivers the tune with a delightful yodel and lots of power. This could easily be the hottest new thing on country radio this summer."[49]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "Blue" features Rimes sitting by Barton Springs Pool in the summer with sunglasses on while young men pass her by.[50][51] Filmed in Austin, Texas, the music video was directed by Chris Rogers and produced by Hunter Hodge for Pecos Films.[52] The video won two 1996 Billboard Music Awards for Best Country Music Video of the Year and Best New Artist Video of the Year. Country Music Television ranked "Blue" the number four video of the year and named Rimes the Female Rising Video Star of the Year in 1996.[51] The Houston Press and the Austin American-Statesman described that the video alluded to a Lolita theme.[53][54]

The music video is included on the bonus DVD for Rimes' Greatest Hits - Limited Edition album (2003)[55] and on the Region 2 music DVD releases, The Best of LeAnn Rimes (2004)[56] and LeAnn Rimes: The Complete DVD Collection (2006).[57]

Track listing

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  1. "Blue" – 2:47
  2. "The Light in Your Eyes" – 3:20
  • UK Maxi CD single[58]
  1. "Blue" – 2:47
  2. "How Do I Live" – 4:27
  3. "Undeniable" – 3:44

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Blue"/"Faded Rose" (1958), catalog 45-360, Starday Records. globaldogproductions.info
  2. ^ a b c Neely, Tim and Martin Popoff (28 July 2009). Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records. Krause Publications. p. 427. ISBN 9780896899582.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b Gibson, Nathan D. and Don Pierce (2011). The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built. University Press of Mississippi. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-60473-830-8.
  4. ^ a b c "Reviews of New C&W Records: BILL MACK - Blue". The Billboard: 48. June 2, 1958.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Philpot, Robert (2011-11-03). "Bill Mack looks back on 'Blue'". Dfw.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-11.
  6. ^ "1996 Grammy Award Winners". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  7. ^ "ACM Awards - Past Winners: 1996 Song of the Year". CMT. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  8. ^ "31st Annual CMA Awards". CMT. September 24, 1997. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008.
  9. ^ "Entertainment Radio Networks Announces Nominees for Fourth Annual Country Radio Music Awards and Legend Award Winner Tom T. Hall". PRNewswire. February 10, 1997. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  10. ^ "TOP 100 COUNTRY SONGS of-all-time by CMT". CMT. Archived from the original on April 12, 2004. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Midnight Cowboy Bill Mack may be riding high with a Grammy nomination for 'Blue," but he hasn't lost his love for overnight radio". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. February 23, 1997. Retrieved September 8, 2013. Archived from newslibrary.com
  12. ^ a b Rendleman, Marty (January 4, 2011). Singing Your Way to Stardom: A Blueprint for Success in the Music Industry. Tate Publishing & Enterprises. ISBN 978-1617394249.
  13. ^ Mack, Bill (2004). Bill Mack's Memories from the Trenches of Broadcasting. Unit II. ISBN 0975263005.
  14. ^ a b c Mack, Bill (September 24, 2010). "Bill Mack's Entertainment Beat: Music has the power". Truckers Connection. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  15. ^ "Tuned In". Overdrive. August 7, 2007.
  16. ^ Martel, Marty (April 15, 2011). "Bill Mack Interview: The Man and His Thoughts". Strictly Country Magazine.
  17. ^ Mitchell, Rick (1996-11-03). "Nothing Blue About LeAnn Rimes". Houston Chronicle.
  18. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography - LeAnn Rimes". allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  19. ^ a b c Catalano, Grace (April 7, 1997). LeAnn Rimes: Teen Country Queen. Laurel Leaf. p. 28. ISBN 0440227372.
  20. ^ "Bill Mack Sings His Songs order form". billmackcountry.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  21. ^ Bernstein, Joel (1998). "Bill Mack - Sings His Songs". Country Standard Time.
  22. ^ a b "Blue"/"Sioux City Sue" (1966), catalog 45-788, Starday Records. globaldogproductions.info
  23. ^ a b "Spotlight Singles: Country Spotlights - Chart: Kenny Roberts - Sioux City Sue". Billboard. November 19, 1966. p. 20.
  24. ^ a b "BLUE / SIOUX CITY SUE". gemm.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
  25. ^ a b Photo scan of Kenny Roberts' "Blue" 45 rpm. Ebay.com
  26. ^ Gibson, Nathan D. and Don Pierce (2011). The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built. University Press of Mississippi. pp. 155–156. ISBN 978-1-60473-830-8.
  27. ^ Roberts, Kenny. The Incredible Kenny Roberts. worldcat.org. OCLC 13905623.
  28. ^ "The Incredible Kenny Roberts". lpdiscography.com.
  29. ^ "Playlist 11/2/2008 - Kenny & Bettyanne, Hank, Homer & Jethro, Eddy, Buell, Uncle Dave, Grandpa, Al, and J. E." Red Rooster Party. November 2, 2008.
  30. ^ "LP listing no. 4553: You're My Kind of People by (Yodellin') Kenny Roberts - Bluebonnet 201" (PDF). strictlycountry.nl. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  31. ^ Country Stars On 2 CDs Archived November 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine gustorecords.com
  32. ^ Country Stars by Various Artists iTunes.com
  33. ^ Top Hits - Blue - EP: Kenny Roberts. iTunes.com
  34. ^ a b Morthland, John; Cohen, Jason; Burr, Ramiro (October 1998). "The Kids Are Alright". Texas Monthly.
  35. ^ "Something borrowed, something 'Blue'". Austin American-Statesman. June 8, 1996. Retrieved September 8, 2013. Archived from newslibrary.com
  36. ^ a b c "Exley v. Smith, et al". legalmetric.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  37. ^ "Fort Worth entertainer says she wrote second verse of 'Blue' in 1987". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. February 27, 1997. Retrieved September 8, 2013. Archived from newslibrary.com
  38. ^ Exley, Polly Stephens. "Blue (Document number V3409D515)". copyrightencyclopedia.com.
  39. ^ a b "Blue / The Light in Your Eyes: LeAnn Rimes: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  40. ^ "All That: LeAnn Rimes: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  41. ^ All That (CD). LeAnn Rimes. Nor Va Jak. 1994. 98081-1234-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  42. ^ "Marty Rendleman biography". RMG. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  43. ^ Sgammato, Jo (March 30, 1997). Dreams Come True: The LeAnn Rimes Story. Random House. pp. 61–64. ISBN 0-345-41650-3.
  44. ^ CMT Inside Fame: LeAnn Rimes CMT (2004-4-12) Retrieved 2011-10-8
  45. ^ Kingsbury, Paul; Rumble, John; Cooper, Daniel C. (2004-12-16). The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music - Paul Kingsbury, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Google 도서. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 9780195176087. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  46. ^ Lady & Gentlemen (CD). LeAnn Rimes. Curb Records. 2011. D2-79203.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ^ Haney, Shawn M. "Blue - LeAnn Rimes". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  48. ^ Thomas, Stephen (2011-09-27). "Lady & Gentlemen - LeAnn Rimes". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  49. ^ Flick, Larry (1996-06-01). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 83. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  50. ^ "Videos : LeAnn Rimes : Blue". CMT. Retrieved 2011-11-20.[dead link‍]
  51. ^ a b Sgammato, Jo (1997). Dream Come True: The LeAnn Rimes Story. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0345472764.
  52. ^ "Music Video: Production Notes - Other Cities". Billboard. July 27, 1996. p. 96.
  53. ^ Weitz, Matt (February 13, 1997). "The Reason of Rimes". Houston Press.
  54. ^ "A cab voyage of discovery". Austin American-Statesman. January 7, 1997.. Retrieved September 17, 2013 Archived from newslibrary.com
  55. ^ "Greatest Hits: Includes Bonus Limited Edition DVD: LeAnn Rimes: Music". Amazon. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  56. ^ "The Best of LeAnn Rimes". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  57. ^ "Leann Rimes: The Complete DVD Collection". Amazon. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  58. ^ UK Maxi CD single references:
  59. ^ "LeAnn Rimes – Blue". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  60. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3045." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 29, 1996. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  61. ^ "Leann Rimes - Blue". Official Charts Company. 1999-01-16. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  62. ^ "LeAnn Rimes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  63. ^ "LeAnn Rimes Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  64. ^ "Billboard Top Country Singles Sales" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  65. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 3. BPI Communications Inc. January 18, 1997. p. 61. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  66. ^ "American single certifications – LeAnn Rimes – Blue". Recording Industry Association of America.
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